California Lawmakers Introduce Legislation To Protect Workers From Silicosis Risks

A California state senator is proposing new legislation that would require new training and certification processes to protect workers from exposure to silica dust when cutting and installing quartz countertops, which can lead to the development of silicosis, an incurable respiratory disease.

On December 2, legislation known as the Silicosis Training, Outreach, and Prevention (STOP) Act (SB 20) was introduced by California State Senator Caroline Menjivar, a Democrat representing the San Fernando Valley, which she describes as “ground zero for silicosis cases.”

Silicosis is an irreversible and often deadly lung condition, which is only known to be caused by breathing in silica dust. The disease starts with lung inflammation and scarring, but can eventually progress to lung failure, which carries a high risk of death.

A major source of silica dust is the fabricated stone countertop industry. Often referred to as “engineered stone,” these popular quartz countertops have been linked to a significant silicosis risk for workers, who often inhale large volumes of silica dust as they shape and cut the countertops to fit consumers’ kitchens and bathrooms.

In recent years, a number of workers and surviving family members have filed silicosis lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of quartz countertops, alleging that they failed to provide information to stone cutters and fabricators about the potential risks associated with exposure to silica dust, and the new legislation seeks to require the industry to finally develop practices that will protect workers.

In a press release announcing the legislation, Menjivar noted that Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, in her district, has treated more than 50 patients for silicosis. She indicates the state saw a 92% increase in silicosis cases between July and December 2023.

A report released by the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Occupational Health Branch this August indicated there have been 176 silicosis cases state wide, 13 known silicosis-related deaths and 19 stone cutters and fabrication workers who needed to receive lung transplants.

Menjivar’s proposed STOP Act would require the CDPH to create a training program defining best practices for the stone fabrication industry, require certification for fabrication shops focused on better safety standards, and make sure all workers are properly trained. In addition, the Act would create a public database that tracks the compliance of fabrication shops statewide.

“Shameful industry practices neglect to protect workers or even educate them on safety standards, exploit those who cannot afford to leave their jobs, and callously puts undue strain on our local community health clinics and hospitals,” Menjivar said in the press release. “By adopting the common sense standards and precautions outlined in SB 20, California can once again lead the nation on worker safety by establishing robust protections for stone cutting and fabrication workers in my district and across our state.”

Silicosis Lawsuits Filed by Artificial Stone Workers

In recent decades, artificial stone countertops have become increasingly popular, containing a mixture of naturally occurring quartz and silica dust, which stonemasons and other workers often wind up inhaling through the process of cutting the stone to fabricate it for kitchen and bathroom countertops.

The dangers posed by silica dust have been described as “the new asbestos,” referring to the toxic fiber linked to the development of mesothelioma, which was banned decades ago.

Silicosis lawsuits brought on behalf of individuals diagnosed with the condition allege that artificial stone distributors and manufacturers could have taken steps to warn about the risks associated with inhaling silica dust, but placed a desire for profits before the health and safety of workers installing their products.

In some cases that have gone to trial in recent years, stone cutters and fabricators have been awarded large silicosis lawsuit payouts by juries, such as a $52.4 million awarded in August 2024.

While many families are just now learning about the risks associated with artificial stone countertops, the lawsuits allege that manufacturers knew or should have known about the problems for decades, but withheld critical warnings and instructions that could have made working with the quartz countertops safer.